The Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course is an ideal qualification for anyone looking to get into network support. So if you're just about to get going or already have experience but need to improve your CV with a recognised qualification, you can find the right training. If you want to get into the world of IT as a beginner, you will possibly have to improve your skill-set prior to studying for all four MCP's (Microsoft Certified Professional exams) that are necessary to pass the MCSA. Identify a training company that can design a course to fit your requirements - ask to discuss this with an advisor to work out your best course of action.

Make sure that all your qualifications are commercially valid and current - forget courses which lead to some in-house certificate (which is as useless as if you'd printed it yourself). Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco, then you'll probably find it could have been a waste of time and effort - as it'll be an unknown commodity.

We'd hazard a guess that you're quite practically minded - a 'hands-on' person. Typically, the trial of reading reference books and manuals is something you'll make yourself do if you have to, but it's not ideal. Check out video-based multimedia instruction if book-based learning really isn't your style. If we can involve all our senses in the learning process, our results will often be quite spectacular.

Find a course where you're provided with an array of CD and DVD based materials - you'll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. It makes sense to see a small selection of training examples before you make your decision. The minimum you should expect would be instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.

You'll find that many companies will only provide purely on-line training; sometimes you can get away with this - but, think what will happen if you lose your internet access or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. A safer solution is the provision of DVD or CD discs which will solve that problem.

You should look for an authorised exam preparation system included in the package you choose. Because many examination boards in IT are American, you'll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It isn't good enough merely going through the right questions - they have to be in the same format as the actual exams. Why don't you test how much you know by doing tests and practice exams prior to taking the real thing.

Many people question why academic qualifications are being replaced by more commercial qualifications? With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs becoming a tall order for many, plus the IT sector's general opinion that key company training often has more relevance in the commercial field, there's been a dramatic increase in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA certified training routes that educate students at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time. Of course, a reasonable degree of relevant additional information needs to be covered, but precise specialisation in the required areas gives a vendor educated person a huge edge.

If an employer knows what work they need doing, then all it takes is an advert for a person with the appropriate exam numbers. Syllabuses are set to exacting standards and can't change from one establishment to the next (like academia frequently can and does).

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